Latha K. S. T, Gokila M. S
BACKGROUND Corneal blindness is a major public health problem in India and the most predominant cause being infectious. Common viral infections include herpes simplex keratitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus and adenovirus keratitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was done in RIOGOH Madras Medical College for 20 months from February 2017 to October 2018. RESULTS Out of 100 cases, 56 were primary and 44 were recurrent cases. 55% were in age group of first and second decade. Herpes zoster was commonly noticed after 5th decade. Males affected more than females in the ratio of 1.5:1. Dendritic lesion 42% was the commonest presentation followed by disciform 24%, nummular 7%, punctate 13%, geographic, keratouveitis formed less than 5%. Dendritic lesion yielded the maximum positivity of HSV either with virus isolation or immunofluorescence or both 58%. Total positivity either by virus isolation or HSV antigen detection or by both was 37% showing the importance of clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSION HSV infection occupies the major portion of all viral infections followed by adenovirus and HZO. Dendritic lesion was the commonest presentation.
